SUPERIOR — A 33-year-old man was in custody Thursday, Oct. 6, after he allegedly threatened to enter New Horizons Children's Center while armed to retrieve his child, according to a news release from the Superior Police Department.
At about 1 p.m. Thursday, a woman approached officers walking into the police station to report she received concerning messages from the father of her child. The messages allegedly included a photograph of a rifle being held while sitting inside an unknown residence, and a message indicating he was going to the day care center to get their child. The man also allegedly said he would engage responding officers in a gun fight if they intervened.
Plainclothes Superior police officers and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies immediately responded and secured the day care and surrounding area, while uniformed officers formed a perimeter and began searching for the man, the news release said.
Nearby Great Lakes Elementary was notified, and a Superior Police School Resource Officer assisted in securing the school. School district officials decided to take security measures at Northern Lights Elementary and Superior High School, as well.
The schools were placed in an administrative hold around 1 p.m. after the police department alerted officials of the situation, District Administrator Amy Starzecki said in an email to families.
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“I want to be clear that there was no danger inside any of the schools,” Starzecki wrote.
During an administrative hold, the perimeter of the school buildings are locked and all students and staff members must remain inside the building, she said.
Officers received information the man was possibly walking on a trail near the day care center. Officers located and arrested him, according to the news release. He did not have a gun in his possession. The gun in the photograph was later located in a residence.
Mayor Jim Paine posted on Facebook that police were on the scene and secured the mall and day care.
“No one is hurt,” the mayor wrote. “The suspect is in custody. Parents may pick up children on the north side of the building if they want to, but again, they are safe.
Superior High School Principal Aaron Fezzey posted on Facebook that the hold was lifted around 2:10 p.m. after the Superior Police Department advised him that the unsafe situation had been addressed.
“I appreciate how our staff members quickly moved into action with our building safety protocols and want to thank the Superior Police Department for keeping our school safe,” Fezzey wrote.
Charges against the man will be forwarded to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, according to police.
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This story was updated at 4:53 p.m. Oct. 6 with additional information about the incident. It was originally posted at 4:20 p.m. Oct. 6.
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